press release

Center City District Restaurant Week Celebrates its 20th Anniversary this September

Contact:
Giavana Suraci
T 215.440.5516
gsuraci@centercityphila.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prix-Fixe Dining at Philadelphia’s Best Restaurants this September 10-23

PHILADELPHIA (August 1, 2023): Center City District Restaurant Week (CCDRW) began 20 years ago this September, introducing thousands of diners to a two decades-long tradition that celebrates some of the best chefs and restaurateurs in the Philadelphia region. Beginning Sunday, September 10 through Saturday, September 23, CCDRW returns in celebration of that milestone, recognizing all of the new restaurants and those who have participated for the last 20 years.

More than 90 participating restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus, starting at just $45 per person. For the first time, diners will also have the opportunity to enjoy a $60 premium option at select locations. This brand-new price tier will not be available in conjunction with the standard $45 discount; restaurants will offer one or the other. Also new this season, two-course lunch menus will now be available for just $20 at select locations. Find the full list of participating restaurants at ccdrestaurantweek.com.

During Restaurant Week, guests can enjoy their meals indoors or outdoors, and at select locations, takeout will be offered. Additionally, adults 21 and older can enjoy special cocktails created to complement each CCDRW menu.  Featured Beam Suntory spirits include Knob Creek 7 Year Rye Whiskey and Haku Vodka. Tax, gratuity and beverages are not included as part of CCDRW pricing. Full menu and reservation information via Open Table can also be found at ccdrestaurantweek.com, where diners are encouraged to enter to win dinner for a year.

Discounted parking will be available to CCDRW guests for $9 or less at participating Interpark, LAZ and Philadelphia Parking Authority garages. Everyone should plan their transportation arrangements when making dinner reservations, or prepare to access a digital parking voucher at ccdrestaurantweek.com.  

Throughout the year, Center City District (CCD) has recognized the chefs and restaurateurs who have helped to transform not only CCDRW, but who’ve also put Center City Philadelphia on the map as one of the best dining destinations in the country. From James Beard Award winners and Iron Chefs to self-taught cooks and family-run kitchens, CCD is proud to claim some of the most talented professionals in the industry.

Part of that recognition included a 20 week profile series, exclusive recipes and popups at weekly events across Center City. “Twenty Weeks, Twenty Stories” gave diners an opportunity to learn about chefs and restaurateurs outside of the kitchen. Interviewees discussed everything from their inspiration and achievements to signature recipes and their experience working in Center City. The blogs can be found at ccdrestaurantweek.com.

Ahead of CCDRW, diners can enjoy some of their favorite dishes at home by recreating recipes submitted by chefs at participating restaurants. A digital recipe book is also available for download online, with new submissions added through September. Printed recipe cards have been distributed at events across Center City as part of Restaurant Week Roadshow, a popup activation at select CCD-managed programs, including the Arts on Center Stage at Dilworth Park, which runs through the end of August. To find the latest recipes, visit ccdrestaurantweek.com.

Front and back of house workers are another vital component to the ongoing success of CCDRW. For the first time, CCD has requested participating restaurants to nominate members of their staff for the chance to win a $500 “tip,” made possible by the Community College of Philadelphia. Five winners will be selected at random, with all nominees receiving a small gift as a token of appreciation. Winners will be announced once CCDRW ends. As always, CCD encourages all diners to tip their servers and wait staff as generously as possible.

“Center City District Restaurant Week began in September of 2003 with just 43 participating restaurants. It is a tremendous economic driver for our restaurants and Center City as a whole. Since its inception, Center City District Restaurant Week has attracted hundreds of thousands of diners from across the Philadelphia region,” said Michelle Shannon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Center City District. “It has sustained popularity, in part, due to its simplicity: multi-course meals for a fixed price. The program has become a part of Philadelphia’s collective identity; a tradition. Twice a year, people anticipate which restaurants they’re going to try for the first time, or which places they’ll be enjoying again. And now with the 20th anniversary approaching this September 10th through the 23rd, we hope to continue provide an unforgettable culinary experience that can only be found in Center City Philadelphia.”

The current list of participating restaurants includes:

  • 1225 Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge
  • a.kitchen*
  • Aki Nom Nom
  • Alice Pizza & Restaurant
  • Amina*
  • Ancient Spirits & Grille
  • Banh Mi and Bottles*
  • Bank & Bourbon*
  • Barbuzzo
  • Barra Rossa
  • Bellini
  • Bistro La Baia
  • Bistro Romano
  • Bistrot La Minette
  • Bleu Sushi
  • Brauhaus Schmitz
  • Bridget Foy's
  • Buca D'oro Ristorante
  • Bud & Marilyn's
  • Buddakan
  • Butcher Bar
  • Caribou Café
  • Chez Hansi
  • City Winery
  • Con Murphy’s
  • Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
  • D'Angelo Ristorante Italiano
  • Darling Jack's Tavern
  • Devil's Alley
  • Dim Sum House by Jane G’s*
  • Dolce Italian
  • Double Knot
  • Entrée BYOB
  • Estia Restaurant*
  • Flambo Caribbean Restaurant*
  • Fork*
  • Forsythia
  • Franklin Social American Kitchen and Bar*
  • Fringe Bar
  • Garden Grille and Bar
  • Giuseppe & Sons
  • Gran Caffe L’Aquila
  • Harp & Crown
  • Jasmine Rice
  • Jomon Japanese BBQ
  • Knock Bar & Restaurant
  • Koto Sushi
     

*Offering $60 price tier

  • La Famiglia Ristorante
  • La Fontana Della Citta
  • La Nonna
  • LaScala’s Fire
  • La Viola Bistro
  • La Viola Ovest
  • Libertine
  • Little Nonna's
  • Malbec Argentine Steakhouse 
  • McCormick & Schmicks*
  • Melograno BYOB
  • Mercato BYOB
  • Mixto Inc.*
  • Monster Vegan
  • Morea
  • Oloroso Tapas and Sherry Bar
  • Osteria
  • Osteria Ama Philly
  • Oyster House
  • Panorama
  • Pearl & Mary
  • Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse
  • Pizzeria Vetri
  • Porcini
  • Prunella
  • Pumpkin BYOB
  • Restaurant Aleksandar
  • Sampan
  • Seafood Unlimited
  • Spasso Italian Grill
  • Spice Finch
  • Thanal Indian Tavern
  • The Continental Midtown
  • The Dandelion
  • The Goat Rittenhouse
  • The Hayes
  • The Morris
  • The Olde Bar
  • The Twisted Tail
  • Thirteen Restaurant*
  • Time Restaurant and Whiskey Bar
  • Twenty Manning*
  • Veda Modern Indian Bistro
  • Via Locusta
  • Vintage Wine Bar and Bistro
  • Volver

Additional restaurants will continue to be added through September 10. Center City District Restaurant Week is presented by Knob Creek® 7 Year Rye Whiskey, Haku® Vodka and Open Table, with support from Philadelphia Magazine, PHLCVB, the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Parking Association. Visit ccdrestaurantweek.com for more information.

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.